35 Stunning Abandoned Places Around the World You Can Still Visit

16. Kayaköy, Turkey: The Forgotten Village of Ghostly Silence

Once home to a vibrant Greek Orthodox community, Kayaköy was a bustling town of artisans, farmers, and merchants until the 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey forced residents to abandon their homes. Nestled in the rolling hills just south of Fethiye, the village consists of over 350 roofless stone houses, two crumbling churches, and scattered chapels—each now overtaken by vines and wildflowers. Wandering through Kayaköy feels like stepping into a forgotten world, where echoes of laughter and prayer seem to linger in the silent breeze. Nature has woven itself through every doorway and window, softening the hard edges of time with bursts of green under the piercing blue sky. The village is accessible via hiking trails or a short drive from Fethiye, and it’s often included in historical and cultural tours of the region. For travelers seeking a contemplative escape from tourist crowds, Kayaköy offers a hauntingly peaceful window into Turkey’s complex past and the resilience of abandoned beauty.